Exclusive breastfeeding reduces eczema incidence by 54%, JAMA Pediatrics

JAMA Pediatrics published the results of a study in the journal "Journal of the American Medical Association Pediatrics" on November 13, 2019. Exclusive breastfeeding can reduce the incidence of eczema by 54%.

Babies who were exclusively breastfed for at least 3 months had a 54 percent lower risk of developing eczema at age 16, the study found. This large study, which lasted 16 years, involved 31 obstetric departments in hospitals, which were randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. The control group operated as usual; the intervention group participated in the breastfeeding promotion plan, and the hospital will train nurses, midwives and doctors to encourage and support mothers' breastfeeding. Children participating in the study were followed up at different ages to determine whether they were affected by the breastfeeding promotion program.

The study collected data on the health of 13,557 children at age 16. Survey items included their lung function, asthma and eczema . The results of the study's skin examination showed that 0.3 percent of the children in the intervention group had signs of eczema, compared with 0.7 percent of the control group. That is, children who received breastfeeding support had a 54 percent lower risk of developing eczema as teenagers.

Dr Amy Brown, an expert in infant nutrition at Swansea University, said: "This research looks at health in adolescence, which means breastfeeding has long-term protection for children's health, not just eating. time for milk."